The Wolves beat Southwest Minnesota 72-68 March 5 to claim their second straight NSIC Tournament title. Northern State will be the No. 2 seedin the regional tournament for the second consecutive year.

Senior guard Ian Smith leads the way in several categories for Northern State. Smith has recorded 13.6 points per game and 5.4 assists per game in 30 games played. Coach Paul Sather has guided his team to a 26-6 record and to its third consecutive 20 win season.

Last season, Northern State represented the central region in the Elite Eight and was the national runner-up.

The Ichabods finished runner-up in the MIAA tournament for the second year in a row to Northwest March 10.

This postseason berth marks the 14th time the Ichabods have made an NCAA postseason appearance. Washburn has been guided to a 24-7 record behind 19.5 points per game from senior guard Javion Blake and 5.6 rebounds from 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Will McKee.

Washburn is under the direction of second-year coach Brett Ballard.

4. St. Cloud State

For the second year in a row, St. Cloud State men’s basketball will travel to Maryville and play the same opponent to open up the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament.

The Huskies earned an at-large bid into the tournament after a 22-8 record and a quarterfinal loss to Wayne State in the NSIC tournament.

Senior guard Gage Davis dominates the scoresheet for St. Cloud State averaging 26.1 points per game. Davis can do more than score, he also leads the team in rebounds per game (7.6) and total assists (100).

Fifth-year coach Matt Reimer mans the bench for the Huskies as they head into the regional slate.

5. Southern Nazarene

Southern Nazarene earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament after beating Southeastern Oklahoma 80-77 in the Great American Conference Tournament Championship.

This is the Storm’s second consecutive season in the regional tournament. They fell to St. Cloud State 81-68 in the opener last season.

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